Portable reversible water color stretcher-easel

ABSTRACT

This invention consists of a portable, reversible, water color stretcher-easel consisting of a rectangular frame having two sides of which are adapted to mount water color paper by means of staples or other means, a handle is positioned on one side of said frame for carrying purposes and three rotatable legs on the three other sides of said frame which allow the frame to be supported on the ground. These legs position said water color paper in an approximately horizontal plane suitable for painting. The edges of said frame upon which water color paper is mounted is inwardly sloping so as to leave no crease marks upon the paper; and the frame may be reversed exposing the other surface of the water color paper for painting.

United States Patent [191 Hanson, Jr.

[ Nov. 18, 1975 [76] Inventor: William P. Hanson, Jr., 2030 N.

Oak Lane, State College, Pa. 16801 [22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 440,742

[52] US. Cl 248/464; 248/455 [51] Int. Cl. A4713 97/04 [58] Field of Search 248/460, 463, 464, 454,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 368,236 8/1887 Rawbone l60/374.l

680,404 8/1901 Woodbury 248/460 1,289,377 12/1918 Brown 248/464 2,752,887 7/1956 Kling 248/460 3,031,247 4/1962 Schieve 248/461 3.145,0l4 8/1964 Neuwirth 248/464 3.467.259 9/1969 Silver 248/460 Primary E.\'aminerMarion Parsons, Jr. Assistant E.raminer-Robert A. l-lafer 7] I ABSTRACT This invention consists of a portable, reversible, water color stretcher-easel consisting of a rectangular frame having two sides of which are adapted to mount water color paper by means of staples or other means, a handle is positioned on one side of said frame for carrying purposes and three rotatable legs on the three other sides of said frame which allow the frame to be supported on the ground. These legs position said water color paper in an approximately horizontal plane suitable for painting. The edges of said frame upon which water color paper is mounted is inwardly sloping so as to leave no crease marks upon the paper; and the frame may be reversed exposing the other surface of the water color paper for painting.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 3,920,213

PORTABLE REVERSIBLE WATER COLOR STRETCHER-EASEL This invention relates in general to easels and more particularly to water color easels capable of securing simultaneously two painting surfaces.

An object of this invention is to provide a water color easel capable of stretching simultaneously two water color papers.

Another object of this invention is to provide an easel having a two-way, two-working surface alternately paintable.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a two-surface water color easel whereby one surface is protected while drying, while the other may be utilized for painting.

Another object of this invention is to provide water color easel which may be adjustably tilted at various angles from the horizontal whereby water color wash may be made upon the mounted water color paper.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the invention in carrying position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention without water color papers positioned thereon.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention positioned at an angle from the horizontal as would be used in water color wash painting.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2.

With reference to the drawing, the invention is comprised generally ofa rectangular frame comprised of two side members 12, a top member 14, and a bottom member 16 attached by screws 18 at the edge portion thereon. Triangular braces 20 are inwardly positioned on the corners of the frame 10 by means of brace screws 22 to rigidly support the frame in a rectangular position. A handle 24 is integrally attached to the outer portion of top member 14 by means of wood screws.

Against the side members 12 is positioned washer 26, side legs 28. A bolt 30 passes through the side members 12, washer 26, and side legs 28; and is secured thereon being wing nut 32 as may be seen, side legs 28 may be rotated in any position about the bolt 30 and secured rigidly by tightening wing nut 32. Bottom leg 34 is similarly secured to bottom member 16; that is bolt 30 passes through a washer 26, bottom leg 34, then is secured thereto by wing nut 32 securely attached to bolt 30. The outer edges of the frame 10 have inwardly sloping or curving surfaces 33 (FIG. 5).

In operation a wet water color paper 36 is stretched over frame 10, and stapled into the frame 10 by means of staples 38 as may be clearly seen, to which water color papers 36 may be stretched on either side of frame 10, thus, giving two mounted paintable surfaces thereon. Frame 10 is usually made of wood or some other material puncturable by staples. The wet water color paper 36 is then allowed to dry. The legs 28 are then positioned perpendicular to the water color paper 36 and placed upon the supporting surface. The artist may then paint appropriately on the top water color surface 36. Should the artist wish, he may tilt the frame 2 l0'by adjusting one or more legs 28 as indicated in FIG.

The water color paper 36 thus stretched upon frame 10 has a single rectangular crease mark thereon because the inwardly sloping surface 33 does not contact the paper. (FIG. 5)

On finishing the painting, the artist may reverse the position of legs 28 as to position the fresh water color paper 36 on the top portion of frame 10 and position the previously painted surface on the underside thereon where it is protected and may dry. When the artist desires to go to another location, he may loosen washer 26, position the legs,28 along the side members 12 and the bottom members 16 so that the legs 28 do not protrude; he may then pick up the frame 10 by means of handle 24 and transport it to a new location. The frame may be positioned with the water color paper 36 in approximately a vertical position by extending the bottom leg outwardly as indicated in FIG. 1. In this way, the frame 10 may be utilized as a display easel. The frame 10 may be also supported in an approximately vertical position by resting it upon handle 24 and side legs 28.

Although the frame material has been described as wood, it is within the contemplation of this invention that metal or plastic material may be used as well. The frame size may be designed adjustable to a larger or smaller rectangle. The paper may be mounted to the frame by a slightly larger overlapping pressure frame. (Not shown) Although the invention is described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the detail of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

It should be noted that in large size stretcher-easels a center brace (not shown) integrally attached to top member 14 and bottom member 16 may be used to prevent these members from flexing.

I claim:

1. A portable reversible water color stretcher-easel adapted for the mounting of water color paper, comprising in combination:

a rectangular frame comprised of two side members and top and bottom members;

each said member of said frame having oppositely spaced inwardly sloping surfaces; adjustable legs mounted upon said frame adapted to support said frame; said adjustable legs being comprised of, in combination: a spacer member adjacent to said frame; a rotatable support member adjacent to said spacer member; a bolt extending through said frame, spacer memher, and support member; a nut screwably attached to said bolt; whereby said adjustable legs may be rotated 360 about said bolt; supports positioned upon said frame to maintain the rigidity thereof; 1

a front lateral side and a back lateral side of said frame, each side capable of mounting water color paper thereon;

said frame being comprised of a material pierceable by staples.

3,920,213 3 4 a 2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which 3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, in whic said supports are comprised of triangular elements atsaid lateral surface is curved. I tached to the inner corners of said rectangular frame. 

1. A portable reversible water color stretcher-easel adapted for the mounting of water color paper, comprising in combination: a rectangular frame comprised of two side members and top and bottom members; each said member of said frame having oppositely spaced inwardly sloping surfaces; adjustable legs mounted upon said frame adapted to support said frame; said adjustable legs being comprised of, in combination: a spacer member adjacent to said frame; a rotatable support member adjacent to said spacer member; a bolt extending through said frame, spacer member, and support member; a nut screwably attached to said bolt; whereby said adjustable legs may be rotated 360* about said bolt; supports positioned upon said frame to maintain the rigidity thereof; a front lateral side and a back lateral side of said frame, each side capable of mounting water color paper thereon; said frame being comprised of a material pierceable by staples.
 2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, in which said supports are comprised of triangular elements attached to the inner corners of said rectangular frame.
 3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, in which said lateral surface is curved. 